It was the perfect way to cap a stellar performance from Neymar who stepped into Lionel Messi's shoes as chief entertainer as Barca made it 18 goals in their last four matches.

Luis Suarez rounded the keeper for the first before Rafinha's diving header put Barca 2-0 up at half-time.

... who was overjoyed

Sporting ended the game with 10 men when Alberto Lora's wild lunge on Roberto earned a deserved second yellow card before Neymar slotted into an empty net after Paco Alcacer fired off the underside of the bar to make it 3-0.